Modric all-clear hands Spurs a big boost

12 September 2010 04:36

uka Modric will travel with Tottenham's squad for Tuesday's Champions League game in Bremen after X-rays on his left leg came back clear.

The 25-year-old Croatia playmaker left The Hawthorns on crutches on Saturday after suffering an injury in a challenge with defender Gonzalo Jara during the 1-1 draw against West Brom.

Spurs boss Harry Redknapp had feared Modric, who opened the scoring against the Baggies, would face a lengthy spell on the sidelines but the club received good news on Sunday as he was cleared to make the trip to Germany.

"Luka Modric will travel with the squad for our opening Champions League group match at Werder Bremen on Tuesday after X-rays of his left fibula came back clear," read a club statement.

"The Croatia international midfielder was forced off with the injury in the first half of Saturday's draw at West Brom and will continue to be monitored prior to being made available for selection on Tuesday."

The blow to his leg was in the same spot as the one he broke against Birmingham at the start of last season and ruled him out for several months.

Modric's availability for Spurs' first Champions League group game will come as welcome relief for Redknapp, who is already without striker Jermain Defoe and defender Michael Dawson for Tuesday's match in Bremen.

He admitted yesterday that the former Dinamo Zagreb midfielder is irreplacable.

"We've got strength in depth, but you always have one or two players who make the difference to you," he said.

"Modric makes the difference. In my opinion, he could play in any team, anywhere in the world.

"He's a top, top player. He is fantastic. When you lose him, you can't replace him.

"You've got other people who are good players, great players, but he's a special player.

"So it will be a massive loss for us if he is going to be out for a while."